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Third Annual Camp Hosted by Emerson Hospital

2/15/17: Bike Camp for Children with Disabilities Now Accepting Applications

Emerson Hospital’s Center for Rehabilitative and Sports Therapies is hosting its third annual bike camp for children and adults with disabilities during April school vacation week, April 17-21, 2017. Held in conjunction with Lawrence Academy, the camp is open to those who are at least eight years old, have a disability and are able to walk without an assistive device. Trained counselors and spotters work individually with campers to teach them how to ride a conventional bike.

“Riding a bike is one of the most exciting developmental milestones — it gives people a wonderful outlet for exercise and freedom, and is an activity that families can enjoy together,” said Mary Evans, PT, Pediatric and Neurologic Specialist, Emerson Hospital. “We are very excited to offer the third annual Bike Camp to give people individualized instruction and the skills necessary to ride a bike on their own. We know the campers will make tremendous progress.”

The camp is run by iCan Shine, a national non-profit organization that teaches individuals with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle through its iCan Bike program. Using adapted bicycle equipment, trained professionals, including pediatric physical therapists from Emerson, work closely with each camper to help them meet their goals of biking independently. With 75 minutes of daily instruction over five consecutive days, more than 80% of campers learn to ride independently by the end of camp, and nearly all campers make great progress towards biking on their own.

The iCan Bike camp will be held at the hockey rink at Lawrence Academy, 26 Powder House Road, Groton, Massachusetts. Participants must be able to attend the same 75-minute daily session during each of the five days of camp. Parents and/or caregivers are required to stay during their camper's 75-minute session where they can observe from the sidelines. For more information and for campers and volunteers to register, please visit: icanshine.org/ican-bike-groton-ma, or call 978-589-6774. Sponsors of this year’s iCan Bike camp are: Lawrence Academy, Spring Hill Suites and Hilton Garden Inn Devens.

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Emerson Hospital is a multi-site health system headquartered in Concord, Mass., with additional facilities in Sudbury, Groton and Westford and an urgent care center in Hudson. The 179-bed hospital provides advanced medical services to more than 300,000 individuals in 25 towns. To learn more, visit www.emersonhospital.org.